DEP 2004 Human Development Across the DEP 2004 Human Development Across the LifespanLifespan

Slides adapted from Arnett’s Slides adapted from Arnett’s Human Human Development: A Cultural Approach, Development: A Cultural Approach, 1st Edition 1st Edition and Kail & Cavanaugh’s and Kail & Cavanaugh’s Human Development: Human Development:

A Life-Span ViewA Life-Span View

How is the demographic composition of the

older adult population changing?

What common personal changes are associated with late adulthood?

What factors are associated with successful coping?

Guiding Questions

The Changing Demographic ofOlder Adults in the USA

Women outnumber men in all ethnic groups

Older adult population is more diverse

In 2008, slightly more than 50% of people over 65 had high school diplomas and 18% had college degrees

By 2030, 85% will have high school diplomas and 75% will have college degrees

The population of older adults in

industrialized nations has been increasing rapidly in the 20th century In the year 2030 the number of people over

65 will equal or outnumber the number in other age groups

Increase in Older Adults

Global Aging Pattern

Old-Age Dependency Ratio (OADR) Number of persons aged 65 or older

Number of persons aged 20-64  Bottom number represent work force who pay

into government

Global Aging Pattern

Reasons for climbing OADR Birth rate peaked (represent workforce) Medical care increases longevity

Some gender differences in life expectancy

Health Promotion

Healthy lifestyle includes: Healthy diet—low fat and sugar, taking

multivitamins Regular exercise—lowers risk of disease, increases

muscle and bone mass Aerobic and strength training beneficial

Avoid smoking and alcohol

Physical Changes

Hair continues to gray and thin Bones thin especially in women Age spots develop—sun exposure hastens

development Height and weight decline Teeth yellow Exercise and healthy diet can slow some

appearance changes

Physical Changes

Quality of sleep declines with age Sleep less deeply Time in light sleep increases

Sleep Apnea common sleep problem Can be treated with CPAP device

Psychological issues can also impair sleep Depression, anxiety, and medical conditions

Sensory Changes

Vision Reduced visual acuity Cataracts

Most common visual impairment Increased chance of Macular Degeneration Increased chance of Glaucoma

Sensory Changes

Hearing Acuity diminishes for high-pitched sounds May develop tinnitus Can lead to social isolation

Taste and smell Decline in taste and smell can make food less

enjoyable Dangerous smells not detected

Cognitive Changes

Declines in Selective Attention Divided Attention Sustained Attention

Memory effects include Working memory decline Episodic and autobiographical memory decline Source memory decline

Health Problems

Common health issues are: arthritis osteoporosis, and hypertension

Arthritis—disease of the joints Cartilage that cushions joints wear out Women affected more than men

Management involves medication, inserting new joints and/or exercise

Health Problems

Osteoporosis Increased risk for broken bones Exercise and calcium-rich diet for treatment

Hypertension Secondary aging makes condition worsen Diet and medications are treatment options

Dementia

Aging increases risk of dementia Alzheimer’s disease most common

Loss of memory for recent events including people

increased anxiety and aggression Two features include

Accumulation of plaques Neurofibrillary tangles

Continuity theory - theory based on idea that

people tend to cope with daily life in later adulthood by applying familiar strategies based on past experience to maintain and preserve both internal and external structures Internal structures are related to one’s identity External structures are related to one’s

environment

3 degrees of continuity Too Little - feel life is too unpredictable (or too chaotic) Too Much - can create boredom or a rut of predictability Optimal - enough change to be a challenge and provide

interest by not taxing one’s resources

Continuity Theory

Competence—the upper limit of a

person’s ability to function in five domains; physical health, sensory-perceptual skills, motor skills, cognitive skills, and ego strength

Environmental press—the physical, interpersonal, or social demands that environments put on people

Competence Environmental Press Theory

Adaptation level - when press level is average

for a particular level of competence

Zone of maximum performance potential - when press level is slightly higher (than the person’s competence level), tending to improve performance

Zone of maximum comfort - when press level is slightly slower, facilitating a high quality of life

Proactivity - when people choose new

behaviors to meet new desires or needs and exert control over their lives

Docility - when people allow their situation to dictate the options they have

Dealing with Change

Patterns of friendships in late life are similar

to those in young adulthood Older adults have fewer relationships than

younger adults

Older couples are more likely to be similar in mental and physical health and show fewer gender differences in sources of pleasure

Older couples usually have developed effective ways to avoid conflict

Great-grandparenting is an enjoyable and important role

Relationships

Wisdom with age?

General personal conditions General intelligence and cognitive

ability Openness to new experiences Curiosity

Specific expertise conditions Studying/reading in a new field of

study Practicing a skill Teaching or mentoring someone else

Facilitative life contexts Going to school Leading a community organization

Wisdom = expertise in the conduct and meaning of life

Leisure Activities

Time devoted to leisure activities, community activities, and religious involvement

Leisure activities Increased time to continue previous interests Increased travel if able Time spent doing non-demanding activities

Religious Involvement

Religious involvement Participation increases Practices and beliefs increase Women more religious than men but men hold

dominate positions Promotes self esteem, life satisfaction, and

overall happiness Promotes better physical health

Erikson’s—Ego integrity vs. despair

Integrity versus Despair - (Erikson) - the stage in later life in which people try to make sense of their lives

Involves a life review—looking back and reflecting Integrity associated with acceptance and may lead

to less depression Physical and cognitive problems may interfere with

this process

Ego Integrity